Colts' Heyward-Bey: 'You play to win a championship'

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey warms up for their game against the Titans.
Indianapolis Colts play the Tennessee Titans in their NFL football game Sunday, December 1, 2013, afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. Matt Kryger / The Star @mattkryger(Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)

"You play to win a championship," Heyward-Bey said after the Indianapolis Colts took another step in that direction with a 23-7 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. "The money, everything else, that's extra.

"I came to the NFL to win games. I've never been on a team with 10 wins. I've never been to the playoffs. I'm on a team that's doing it and I'm happy to be part of it."

His part in the grand scheme, though, has changed dramatically since signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract in the offseason. Heyward-Bey was viewed as a viable sidekick to Reggie Wayne, a 26-year old whose career had been stifled in Oakland.

Decreased productivity and untimely drops led to Heyward-Bey first losing his starting spot, then his spot in the receiver rotation entirely.

The past two games, he's been on the field for 22 of 145 offensive plays (15 percent), primarily as a blocker in short-yardage situations. He hasn't been targeted for a pass by quarterback Andrew Luck in consecutive wins over Houston and the Chiefs.

Rather than sulk, Heyward-Bey looked to expand his resume. Prior to the Texans game, he approached coach Chuck Pagano about helping on special teams even though he had zero experience in that phase of the game. He's been on the field for 14 of 55 special teams plays (25.5 percent) the last two games.

Pagano recalled Heyward-Bey "came in and said, 'Hey, whatever I can do to help this football team win games I'll do.' "

Early in the fourth quarter Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, Heyward-Bey lined up at gunner, used his savvy and speed to get downfield and tackled Chiefs' punt return standout Dexter McCluster for a 2-yard loss. He downed Pat McAfee's next punt at the Kansas City 6-yard line.

"Great job by DHB," Pagano said. "We knew what we were getting. The guy's selfless."

His teammates noticed.

"Yeah, they were going crazy on the sidelines," Heyward-Bey said with a smile.

While this isn't how he anticipated his first season with the Colts unfolding — his 29 receptions rank fourth on the team and he has just seven in the last six games — Heyward-Bey recognizes there's no room for the individual in Pagano's team-oriented program. Besides, that's not what he's about anyway.

"I've never been a 'me' guy," he said. "I've always been a team guy."

The Raiders selected Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft and made him one of their offensive focal points.

"I was on a team where I was the No. 1 receiver, 975 yards (in 2011), all that," he said. "But we never won more than eight games. Nothing beats winning. Nothing."

Veteran defensive end Cory Redding considered the road traveled by Heyward-Bey this season — starter to backup to special teams contributor — he appreciates the manner in which his teammate has handled it.

"Whatever we need him to do, he's going to go out there and do it," Redding said. "Winning heals everything. It makes everything feel that much better.

"You're willing to go through brick walls if you have to ... guys just want to get out there and contribute."

Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830. You can follow him on Twitter at @mchappell51.